Chicago Communities Struggle with Food Security
Food insecurity is a social issue that a lot of people and communities in the city of Chicago struggle with. Many face this problem on a daily basis. In fact, it increased tremendously after the pandemic of COVID-19 and also when the migrant crisis surged. Sadly, a lot of the migrants didn’t have something to eat, either for themselves or for their families.
According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a food bank that supports organizations obtain their goods in order for distribution to take place, they have stated, that one in five people in Chicago struggle to have access for food. Which should not be the case because food security should be a basic human right.
The good thing is that there are a numerous food pantries around the Chicagoland area that are constantly putting their efforts into these organizations in order to provide hope to the community and ensure food security and to decrease the lack of it. Many people take the opportunity to serve and volunteer in food pantries to be able to interact and engage with people and first hand learn about the issue and also about how the particular organization helps improve the community’s outlook in regards of the prevalence of the problem.
Migrants Now Taking Part In Helping the Community Combat the Problem
In the heart of Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood, a group of migrants have contributed and have come together to help make a difference. They have all found a common purpose which is to give back to their newfound community.
Moreover, many migrants are willing to help out because of the common passion and compassion that they feel and also because they want to feel like they are doing something positive. Which ultimately comes to show how they also feel empathy towards minority communities despite them also probably facing the same issues as those who they are serving in the food pantry.
The Hermosa Food Pantry
This specific organization is called the, “Hermosa Food Pantry” which has definitely become a vital and crucial resource for local residents. According to Yolanda Peña, the co-founder of the Life Impacters Foundation, her organization led the charge to open the pantry in the Hermosa facility just a month ago.
Peña has stated, “They know what to do. They take leadership.” This shows how she believes that the managing that takes place in the food pantry will be for a positive change, because they are taking on leadership roles, that positively influence the community. Like previously mentioned, the Hermosa Food Pantry is now powered and driven by the determination and dedication of the migrants that are willing to help out others in the community.
The Impact that the Hermosa Food Pantry Has Created
Chicago city is known for its cultural diversity. The Hermosa neighborhood does not stay behind because it is one of Chicago’s communities that stands out as a vibrant neighborhood and for the various backgrounds that there are. Over time, the faces behind the Hermosa Food Pantry have become even more diverse, reflecting the richness of experiences brought by those who have traveled far and wide to call Chicago home.
The migration story is often one of resilience and hope, and the volunteers at the Hermosa Food Pantry embody these qualities. Maria Gutierrez, a migrant from Honduras, shares her journey and states the following, “We came seeking a better life, but we also wanted to contribute to our new community. Volunteering at the food pantry seemed like the perfect way to do that.” Overall, this new food pantry has definitely created a positive impact for the community and for its new incoming volunteers and workers.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
ABC-7: Chicago migrant staff Hermosa food pantry: “They just want to do something.”
Ground News: Chicago migrants staff Hermosa food pantry: “They just want to do something.”
Your News: Migrants in Chicago Contribute to Hermosa Food Pantry: “Driven by a Desire to Make a Difference
Features Image Courtesy of CT Senate Democrats Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Jeanette Sanchez
